Meanwhile, Travel + Leisure crowed that Houston has “cemented its reputation as a lively, diverse city with a restaurant landscape that can hold its own against any coastal capital.” Theodore Rex, Mala Sichuan, Pho Binh, and Crawfish & Noodles were among the many spots named in the story, which also gave a nod to Finn Hall and the Post Oak Hotel. T+L also mentioned the massive renovations to both the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Menil Collection as worthy spots for sightseers.

Dallas-Fort Worth didn’t make the cut on either list. Austin didn’t show up on its own on either list, but San Antonio did make an appearance on Food & Wine's.